Thurston Moore Instrumental
Mohawk, Friday, March 16
If you’re a recognized rock star who owns a small record label, there’s probably no better way to advertise the company than to prostitute yourself. In the case of Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore, he and three friends officially launched two stages worth of acts from his Ecstatic Peace! Records and Tapes imprint. The idea was an unmitigated success before the first guitar was plugged in; folks snaked down Red River for at least a block preshow. Moore & Co. played one tune, but to the delight of abstract SY fans it lasted the entire showcase. Moore’s guitar-noise texturing – including use of his trademark drumstick – was joined by cyclical drumming, another fractaled strummer, and an abstract violin, sometimes played through a wah pedal, sometimes with two bows. True to the billing, the set was sans vox, and at one point all three string abusers had their backs to the packed crowd at the Mohawk small stage. The set ranged from suggesting the crescendo of the Beatles’ “A Day in the Life” to unfettered noise.This article appears in March 16 • 2007.